Ports

The Caribbean island of Aruba has plans in the works to reopen its borders sometime next month.

The Government of Aruba announced on May 8th a tentative re-opening of the borders for inbound travel between June 15 and July 1, 2020.

Aruba’s tourism authority made the update via its website to inform the public of the plan.

These dates are subject to change that will depend on additional precautionary measures as needed.

Aruba is the first Caribbean destination to announce a specific date for a border reopening. 

The Ketchikan City Council is debating whether to allow cruise ships to dock at its port, having to weigh the financial benefit of a cruise ship visit versus the potential spread of Coronavirus.

The Ketchikan Daily News reported the city council is discussing  allowing cruise operators to pay for space and services at its downtown berths.

Bermuda is locking down its borders and has denied entry to three recent cruise ships that requested permission to dock.

Bernews reports the Bermuda Ministry of Tourism and Transport confirmed it denied requests by the Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Gem, and the MS Europa. The ships were intending to ‘lay up’ with crew and medical staff only, and to date neither cruise line has had any incidents of coronavirus associated with its fleet.

The Canadian government announced today that it will denying entry to Canada to people who are not citizens or permanent residents. Exceptions will be made for air crews, diplomats, immediate family members of citizens and U.S. citizens.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Monday, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Nassau Cruise Port said its port construction project is expected to remain on schedule, despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

Nassau is  currently redeveloping the port facility to enhance the passenger experience and increase business opportunities for Bahamians.

Despite the major cruise lines announcing at least a 30 day halt to cruises because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Nassau Cruise Port will not alter the construction plans.

The New Zealand government announced it will ban all cruise ships from its ports until at least June 30, due to the global spread of Coronavirus.

The new rule went into effect after a cabinet meeting of the New Zealand government on Saturday.  The decision will be reviewed in 16 days.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday said the COVID-19 pandemic now represented “unprecedented times’’.

“I make no apologies,’’ she said.

“New Zealand will have the widest-ranging and toughest border restrictions of anyone in the world.”

The Canadian government announced due to the spread of Coronavirus, cruise ships will not be permitted to dock at Canadian ports from April 2 to July 1.

The new policy applies to ships carrying at least 500 people, including passengers and crew.

Many cruise ships sailing to Alaska visit the port of Victoria, as well as ships homeporting from Vancouver.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced it has closed Baltimore’s cruise ship terminal due to the spread of the coronavirus.

The cruise terminal will remain closed, "until further notice."

Cruise ships scheduled to return to Baltimore on active sailings will be permitted to return. Provided guests onboard do not have any confirmed cases of coronavirus and/or symptoms, they will be allowed to disembark.

Two ships will return to the port, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Pride.

Spain's Council of Ministers announced that in an effort to avoid Coronavirus, cruise ships from any origin will not be permitted to visit Spanish ports between March 13 and 26.

Spain hopes this move will prevent Coronavirus from spreading more quickly, especially given the given how much it has spread in nearby Italy.

The ban is temporary, and could be extended for additional periods not exceeding 14 days and evaluated periodically, particularly taking into account the evolution of the pandemic, especially in Italy.